Meet Your Support Team

Dr James Schlimmer

Dr Nova Jordaan

Lisa Cotton

Casey Quinn

Bariatric Nurse

Julie Albrecht

Dietitian

Sarah Markham

Dietitian

Taryn Swift

Dietitian

Lorraine Langsford

Clinical Psychologist

Bobby Napier

Medical Receptionist

Anaesthetist

Dr James Schlimmer

Anaesthetist

Dr James Edward Schlimmer (Jim) has been an anaesthetist in Australia and overseas for more than 20 years. He has specialized knowledge of the unique challenges of bariatric anaesthetics, having performed anaesthetics for over 3400 weight loss procedures.

Dr Schlimmer graduated from the University of Witwatersand (MB ChB), South Africa in 1983. He trained and worked in some of the busiest and renowned hospitals, including Baragwanath, the Johannesburg General Hospital and the Pretoria Academic Hospital Complex.

He qualified as an anaesthetist through the University of Pretoria in 1993.

After a distinguished career as a doctor in the South African Army, he was recruited by the Australian Defence Force and he migrated to Australia in 1998. While serving in the Australian Army, Dr Schlimmer obtained Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (FANZCA) in 2003. He undertook numerous overseas deployments and has been awarded the Australian Service Medal and the Active Australia Service Medal.

Dr Schlimmer has been in private practice on the Gold Coast since 2003 with a special interest in upper gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery. Jim is married to Nicole Ransley, the ballet dancer, and has six lovely children.

Assistant Surgeon

Dr Nova Jordaan

Assistant Surgeon

Dr Nova Jordaan runs Jordaan Surgical and the Surgical Weight Loss Centre with her husband, Dr Jacobus Jordaan, on the principle of providing the highest level of patient care.

She was raised on the Gold Coast and completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, while working as a researcher at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR).

She relocated to Sydney to study medicine at the University of Sydney, graduating in 2006. Dr Jordaan trained at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney and then returned to the Gold Coast, starting a family. Nova and Jacobus are raising three lovely daughters together.

Nurses

Lisa Cotton

Bariatric Nurse

Lisa Cotton is a registered nurse. She graduated from Griffith University, Gold Coast, with honours in 1999.

Lisa has years of experience in weight loss surgery, patient support, education, diabetes, surgical care and chronic disease management. She works with each patient and their family from their initial visit to ensure that they reach their goals and maintain their results.

Lisa is passionate about her role in helping patients be the best version of themselves in every possible way.

Casey Quinn

Bariatric Nurse

Casey is a trained nurse who provides specialised bariatric clinical and interpersonal support both before and after surgery. Her qualifications include a Diploma of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Science (Psychology).

Casey has worked as nurse at the Gold Coast Hospital since 2007. She has extensive experience in surgical and specialist outpatient nursing, including advanced wound care, physical assessments and clinic coordination. Casey further specialised in acute mental health, integrating her medical and psychological knowledge to support patients with complex physical and psychosocial needs.

Her diverse professional background has fostered a holistic approach to patient care, which values the interconnected relationship between the body and mind.

Dietitians

Julie Albrecht

Dietitian

Julie Albrecht’s career as a dietitian has spanned over 26 years, working as a Private Practitioner, Lecturer, and as a Consultant to Private Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Corporate Groups and Sporting Organisations.
Her experience as a clinician is diverse, drawn from a wide range of conditions encountered while working as a private practitioner and in the clinical setting of private hospitals. These include the dietetic management of patients in the areas of obesity surgery, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, enteral feeding, gastrointestinal surgery, oncology, paediatrics, maternity, gastroenterology, allergies and food sensitivities, malnutrition and eating disorders.

Julie’s experience in weight loss management encompasses individual one to one patient care; group sessions; lecturing to University students and general practitioners with the Centre of Health Promotion. Julie was involved in the initial emergence of Bariatric Surgery over 20 years ago. She is inspired by the depth of the ‘Team Approach’ that supports patients to achieve their weight loss goals and re-shape their futures.

Julie is passionate about food and works with patients to develop the skills and provide them with the tools to achieve their weight loss goals and find the joy of food through mindful eating. Julie is also the co-author of the Gut Buster Barbecue/ Weight Loss cookbooks.

Sarah Markham

Dietitian

Sarah spent 17 years as a dietitian working in the UK National Health Systems (NHS) hospitals, aged care, Public Health and Local Government. Her experience as a clinician is diverse, drawn from a wide range of conditions encountered in these settings. These include the dietetic management of patients in the areas of obesity, diabetes (type 1,2 and gestational), cardiovascular disease, stroke, enteral feeding, malnutrition, gastroenterology, surgery, burns, spinal injuries, kidney disease, mental health, eating disorders, the elderly and oncology.

In her management role, she was CEO of Dietetic Services, responsible for the review and implementation of quality assurance programs, auditing nutrition practice, menu planning and coordinating the training of student dietitians.

Sarah worked as Project Manager in the Public Health sector where she was responsible for the implementation of nutrition projects for the general population. This has included supermarket store tours and cooking sessions for people on low income. She has also worked promoting nutrition on television and on the radio.

As a Nutrition Advisor for Local Government, Sarah was responsible for the development and implementation of nutritional standards for meals provided to primary schools, nutrition for the elderly, reviewing the nutritional sip foods, the development of nutritional screening tools and the implementation of training programs.

In the area of Education she has lectured in Nutrition at Bournemouth University and in the community. She has developed and conducted courses for the dietary management of diabetes for practice nurses, nutrition for the elderly, residential nurse care staff and weight management groups.

Sarah moved to Australia nine years ago and started working in private practice on the Gold Coast. In addition she has been supporting patients at the Surgical Weight Loss Centre for four years, and understands the issues around weight management. Sarah is strongly believes that with an appropriate amount of team support, surgical intervention can be a positive tool in weight management.

She enjoys cooking and eating healthily herself and is keen to share practical and clinical skills with clients for long term weight loss success.

Taryn Swift

Dietitian

Taryn is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and has worked in the area of bariatric surgery for the last 10 years. Taryn has seen the field of bariatrics evolving over the last decade and assisted many people undergoing a range of different procedures from bands to balloons, bypasses, and sleeves. She has also been involved in clinical trials for new and emerging therapies.

Taryn will provide information and support for you in the pre and early post-operative stages, and guide you towards healthier eating habits to minimise discomfort when eating; optimise intake of nutrients; and most importantly encourage enjoyment and a healthy relationship with food.

Taryn has previously worked in public and private hospitals, community health and private practice. She works at Pindara Hospital and supports patients on the surgical ward during their hospital stay. Taryn is available for consultation in Dr Jordaan’s rooms every Thursday.

Clinical Psychologist

Lorraine Langsford

Clinical Psychologist

Lorraine is a clinical psychologist who has over 30 years’ experience working in the areas of physical and psychological health. She has worked as a registered nurse within the public and private health sectors for some 20 years working with physical and psychological illness. Over the past 10 years Lorraine has specialized in clinical and health psychology. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and a Member of the Clinical College. Lorraine is STAP accredited and currently supervises psychology interns.

Lorraine specialises in the psychological assessment, diagnosis and treatment of adults, adolescents and older aged adults with a range of common psychological disorders. These disorders include anxiety, mood and adjustment disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic or life threatening illness, weight loss and obesity management.

Lorraine has also worked in psycho-oncology and palliative care. She also provides psychological assessment and support to a private hospital and conducts a private practice.

Lorraine has training in a number of evidence based therapies. These include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Intensive Short Term Psychodynamic Therapy (ISTDP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Clinical Hypnosis. She is trained in Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training and is currently implementing individualised and group Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT).

Administration Team

Bobby Napier

Medical Receptionist

Bobby has worked in the field of customer service for over 20 years, working in Gold Coast City Libraries as a Library Assistant, and most recently for Melbourne City Council as the Coordinator of a small Art Centre.

Her excellent organisational skills, amazing customer service and caring attitude ensure each client of the practice feels welcomed and supported. Bobby genuinely enjoys each interaction and sharing in the joy as patients proudly achieve their weight loss goals.